For several years now, Netflix has been working on an hours-long docuseries on the life and music of Prince, although the project has mostly been kept under wraps.
However, due to “inaccurate” information and a lengthening of the project, the “Purple Rain” singer’s estate is reportedly clashing with the streamer over creative differences.
Earlier this week, Puck broke news about the impasse and said there’s a “scramble” to save the project.
On Thursday, July 18, Variety said the nine-hour documentary series directed by Ezra Edelman is “dead in the water,” after the late singer’s estate claimed a first cut was too long and filled with “dramatic” factual inaccuracies and “sensationalized” details.
Ava DuVernay served as the original director of the docuseries, but Edelman eventually replaced the 13th filmmaker for reasons unknown.
According to published reports, Edelman finished the docuseries a “while back,” and it ultimately came out to nine hours. Prince’s estate considered this a violation of the original deal for a six-hour series.
Edelman is best known for directing the award-winning 2016 documentary O.J.: Made in America, based on O. J. Simpson’s life.
Related: Prince to Get Posthumous Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2018, Netflix inked a deal with Prince’s estate that included the production of the docuseries.
Prince, who passed away in 2016, notably died without a will in place.
However, a settlement two years ago reportedly allowed Prince’s estate to be comprised of two entities: Prince Legacy, made of his friends and family, and Prince OAT Holdings, controlled by Primary Wave Music publishing company.
This undoubtedly makes the process of putting Prince’s life on the screen more difficult, as the two groups must agree on how the singer’s intellectual property is used and how the Minnesota native is portrayed.
As of now, the docuseries is on hold. Only time will tell if Netflix and Prince’s estate can come to a compromise on how to best portray the Grammy-winning musician.
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